Reports indicate that the Taliban have been using some children particularly the sons of their deceased fighters in propaganda activities and public events organized by the group. Critics argue that these efforts are intended to promote Taliban narratives and strengthen loyalty to the group’s structure and ideology.
In one widely circulated example, the 10-year-old son of a Taliban fighter killed in action delivered a speech before an audience of Taliban members and supporters, recounting the circumstances of his father’s death in a suicide attack. The video attracted significant attention across social media platforms.
According to reports, the use of the children of fallen Taliban members in public events is not an isolated case. Critics contend that in recent years the group has also utilized children from orphanages and religious schools to participate in propaganda programs and promote its ideological views.
Various sources report that a number of children of deceased Taliban members are being educated in religious schools and care centers operated by the group. Reports further suggest that some of these institutions provide children with training in public speaking and participation in official ceremonies, after which they are featured in Taliban-sponsored events.
Videos and images released in recent years also show groups of children attending official Taliban gatherings, where they have performed songs and recited poems praising fallen fighters and the governing system supported by the group.
Meanwhile, critics have expressed concern about the educational content taught in religious schools and orphanages under Taliban control. They argue that independent organizations and media outlets have limited access to these facilities, leaving little reliable information available regarding their curricula and educational programs.
In recent months, the Taliban have announced the closure of private orphanages across Afghanistan, stating that children from these institutions will be transferred to government-run care centers. The Taliban’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has said the move is intended to improve services and provide more suitable educational conditions.
The ministry has also announced plans to expand child-care facilities across various provinces, adding that separate centers will be established for boys and girls.
In contrast, a number of child-rights experts and advocates have warned that the growing emphasis on religious schools and care institutions under Taliban control could increase the influence of the group’s ideological views on the younger generation.
Critics maintain that the use of children in propaganda activities, combined with the limited scope of independent oversight of these institutions, has intensified concerns about the educational and intellectual future of a segment of Afghanistan’s children.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
